Vigil coordinator Ismary McCartey was abused as a child by her own mother. She held the vigil to bring the community together, to create awareness and hopefully change.

“We just want to take this time to just honor a child who lost his life, and bring to light that this is a huge epidemic,” McCartey said.

“It’s something that we really need to start combating more thoroughly,” she said.

In 2010, 4,668 children were victims of abuse or neglect in Minnesota. Fourteen of them died from their abuse.

“It’s a terrible thing that happens and especially the fact that it could all have been prevented had consequences been served for previous problems that this guy had,” McKinley said. “The kid would still be here.

Out of tragedy, supporters are hoping Peterson’s loss will make the community take notice of a bigger issue so no more lives are lost.

“Make sure people are aware that it exists; it doesn’t just happen to Adrian Peterson’s son, this happens to people across the country,” McCartey said.